Gallagher joins William Smith ice hockey coaching staff
William Smith College Ice Hockey Head Coach Jaime Totten recently announced that Kate Gallagher will join her staff as an assistant coach for the Herons inaugural season. Gallagher comes to Geneva after serving as an assistant coach at Plymouth State and Union College.
As the defense and goalie coach at Plymouth State, Gallagher’s main responsibilities also included recruiting, analyzing game film and mentoring the student-athletes.
“Kate has a terrifically warm, friendly, comedic personality which will develop an instant rapport with the student-athletes,” said Totten. “The team will feel very comfortable speaking with and learning from her. Kate balances her personality with the ability to teach, effectively getting her coaching points through to her student-athletes.”
Gallagher gained additional coaching experience as the head coach of the Plymouth State club ice hockey team and worked as the goalie coach for Holderness Preparatory School, the Plymouth Youth Hockey Association and the Laconia Youth Hockey Association. Following her graduation with a bachelor’s degree in neuroscience from Union in 2012, Gallagher spent a year as a volunteer assistant for the Dutchwomen.
The four-year varsity letter winner holds the Dutchwomen career records with a 2.61 goals against average and a .924 save percentage in her four years on the team. Gallagher also posted Union single season records with a 2.15 goals against average and a .937 save percentage in her senior season. She sits third on the all-time Union list for saves with 1,700. Gallagher served as an alternate captain as a senior, and was voted the George Morrison Most Valuable Player in both her junior and senior years.
Gallagher earned New York State Championships in 2001, 2003, 2004 and 2006, playing for the Syracuse Stars, now known as the Syracuse Nationals, finishing third in the nation in 2004.
“A successful student and goaltender at Union College, Kate has a strong understanding of the values of a liberal arts education and a passion for hockey,” said William Smith Director of Athletics Deb Steward. “We are excited to have Kate join Head Coach Jaime Totten in establishing the foundation and culture of William Smith ice hockey.”
Ice hockey will be William Smith’s 12th varsity sport when it begins play in 2014-15. The Herons will compete in the ECAC West against Chatham, Elmira, Neumann, Buffalo State, Cortland, Oswego, Plattsburgh, Potsdam, and Utica. William Smith will play its home games at the Geneva Recreation Complex, also known as The Cooler.
